Three Hundred Sixty Letters And A Death Certificate That Was A Lie Chapter 02

Three Hundred Sixty Letters And A Death Certificate That Was A Lie Chapter 02

Early the next morning, I went to the post office and mailed the letter.

When I got back home, Gavin and Vanessa were waiting in the yard with a group of unfamiliar faces.

Gavin held up a slab of cured pork and called out to me.

“Evelyn, Vanessa’s leaving for college in the city in a few days. Some friends from neighboring towns came to see her off.”

“Make a nice meal for everyone, okay? And cook some meat pies too. Vanessa can take them with her for the trip.”

Without a word, I walked past him and went to wash my hands.

“She’s leaving Maple Creek.”

“You’re leaving Maple Creek too.”

I glanced at them coldly.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re eloping with her.”

“How could you say that?”

Gavin’s face turned bright red, and his hand immediately dropped away from Vanessa’s waist as if he’d been burned.

Before he could say anything else, a foul stench drifted from inside the house.

The smell was so strong that everyone instinctively covered their noses.

“What the hell is that smell? Did a sewage truck overturn somewhere?”

“Close that door before I throw up…”

Gavin glanced toward Margaret’s open bedroom door.

His expression darkened instantly.

“Evelyn, what are you standing there for?”

He pointed toward the room. “Go clean Mom up.”

“Then get out here and start cooking. Hurry up. Don’t keep everyone waiting.”

Margaret was partially paralyzed. She couldn’t control her bladder or bowels.

Even in the middle of the night, she’d wake me up to change her clothes.

In my previous life, I took care of her without complaint so Gavin could focus on his career without worries.

I held the whole family together by myself, only to discover in the end that he’d treated me as nothing more than cheap labor.

Looking at the way he ordered me around as if it were my duty, I let out a mocking laugh.

“Why?”

Gavin froze. “What did you just say?”

“I said why?”

I looked him straight in the eye. “She’s your mother, not mine.”

“My mother is healthy. She doesn’t need someone cleaning up after her every day.”

The words landed hard.

The crowd instantly fell silent. People exchanged awkward looks.

Gavin’s face flushed. He grabbed my arm and dragged me aside.

“Evelyn, have you lost your mind?”

“What exactly are you throwing a fit about?”

“I have lost my mind.”

I shook his hand off.

“My biggest mistake was running away with you in the first place.”

“But now I finally see you for who you are.”

I stared at him coldly. “Do whatever you want from now on.”

“Because I’m done serving you.”

Gavin’s eyes widened, disbelief spreading across his face.

His lips moved, but no words came out.

Seeing that, Vanessa hurried over and stepped between us.

She grabbed my hand. “Evelyn, how could you talk to Gavin like that?”

“If you hate me that much, I’ll leave…”

Hidden from everyone else, her sharp nails dug deep into my skin.

Pain shot through my hand and I instinctively flung her away.

Vanessa immediately fell backward onto the ground. Her arm scraped across the rough stone path, leaving a bright red abrasion.

“Vanessa!”

Gavin rushed over and pulled her into his arms.

The next second, a slap cracked across my face.

“Evelyn Sterling!” His voice thundered.

“Why would you push her?”

The force sent me stumbling sideways.

My head spun and I had to grab the edge of a table to keep from falling.

By the time my vision cleared, Vanessa was already tucked safely behind Gavin while he comforted her.

The crowd glared at me as if I were some unforgivable villain.

Anger and humiliation surged through me.

I took a step forward, then flipped the table over with both hands.

Crash!

Plates shattered, bowls exploded across the ground, and food scattered everywhere.

The entire yard fell silent.

I pointed directly at Gavin. Every word came out sharp and clear.

“Gavin Mercer.”

“I want a divorce.”